Personal biometric information from wearable technology tracked and followed using an eportfolio a case study of ehealth literacy development with emerging technology in Hong Kong Higher Education

Abstract

In this paper we will show our research approach and discuss potential outcomes. The research project started in January 2016. To understand eHealth literacy development in higher education in Hong Kong, the researchers will conduct a multiple case study including 20 students from an undergraduate course. Each of them will use a wearable device over a period of five months, reflect on emerging personal data, document their thinking and action in an ePortfolio-based journal, and engage in an online forum. The ePortfolio, specifically developed for this research, will allow the students to critically reflect on their progress and for the researchers to intervene at any time on the issues related to the participants’ postings. Evidence regarding change in eHealth literacy at the beginning and end of the intervention will be collected with a well-established questionnaire. To understand the qualitative aspect of these changes, semi-structured interviews pre and post intervention will be conducted. Interviews and data from reflections and forum posts will be analyzed and triangulated to understand emerging issues influencing the development of eHealth literacy. After establishing a case report for each of the participants a cross-case analysis will be performed. The study will deliver theoretical and practical recommendations for researchers, teachers and policy makers in higher education to track, support and explore development of new literacies, and in particular, development of eHealth literacy. It will also investigate the applicability of the ePortfolio as a reflective and autonomous learning tool. Furthermore, it will create opportunity for further research on learning using emerging wearable technologies.